A large bird (47 to 50 cm), found in Africa from Zululand and Angola through to Tanzania. In southern Africa it is a common resident found in the northern parts. It inhabits bushveld and savanna and is found in pairs or small groups. It eats fruit, flowers, buds and leaves.

In summer food is plentiful and breeding is taking place and you will therefore not see big groups like this. In winter however there is no breeding and food is scarce so the birds tend to flock together, more eyes to find food and alert others.

Some people say that their call is a loud drawn-out nasal go-away hence the new name, Go-away-bird. Others say the call sounds like kwe hence the afrikaans name, kwevoel. Their other calls consists of various yowls, shrieks and grunts.

A few years ago at my home in JHB i managed to make friends with a grey Go-away- Bird. I would lie in the pool and do my best imitation and he would answer. He grew so accustomed to me that he would even allow me to spray him with a water pistol on those hot summer afternoons. He would lift each wing and turn around, making sure i didnt miss a spot.

Sometimes its worth walking around with wet shoes all day, if it means you can jump in the puddle.2 x Olifants river back packers trails completed